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Chelsea pursuit of Ba stalls

Chelsea's hopes of signing Newcastle striker Demba Ba have suffered an early blow after unproductive discussions over his future.

Press Association Sport understands club officials met the 27-year-old's representatives on Sunday night, but that the deal on the table did not come close to meeting the point where he would consider leaving St James' Park.

However, while the Ba camp has indicated that the Senegal international does not now expect to be playing his football at Stamford Bridge next month, it is likely that the impasse represents only the initial skirmish in a battle which could run and run.